A list of 27 user names and encrypted passwords apparently for an Apple website was posted to the Internet over the weekend along with a warning from hacker group Anonymous that the Cupertino-based computer maker could be a target of its attacks.
"Not being so serious, but well," the message read before linking to the PasteBin page. "Apple could be target, too. But don't worry, we are busy elsewhere," the message said.
The data appears to be a set of user names and encrypted passwords from an SQL database for an online survey at the Apple Business Intelligence website. The site is currently offline.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In an apparently unrelated posting, a Lebanese grey-hat hacker called idahc_hacker said he had found vulnerabilities on another Apple website. The SQL injection and iFrame code attacks can be used by hackers to gain unauthorized access to data.
Grey hat hackers do not typically hack for malicious purposes and the Lebanese hacker did not post and data obtained from the site.
In pointing out the hacks, he said he was not part of Anonymous or LulzSec, an allied group that disbanded recently.
John Ribeiro covers outsourcing and general technology breaking news from India for The IDG News Service. Follow John on Twitter at @Johnribeiro. John's e-mail address is john_ribeiro@idg.com